Former British Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, passed away earlier today at age eighty-seven after suffering a stroke. This morning, the current prime minister, David Cameroon, called her the greatest prime minister who not only served but saved her country. According to her family, Thatcher has been battling several illnesses as well as dementia for some years.

Thatcher became Prime Minister of Britain in 1979 and held the post until 1990, becoming not only the first and only female Prime Minister to this date; but the longest serving prime minister in the twentieth century in Britain’s history. But for our historical perspective we came across a document, a briefing paper from the US State Department which predates Belize’s independence. In it the State Department discusses the Caribbean and Central America. The document underpins the relations between Thatcher and the then President Reagan.

In respect of Belize it says that the United Kingdom, at the time, was interested in ending the financial burden to its remaining colonies and had determined to grant independence to Belize. The briefing notes also mentions that the US was to urge Thatcher to “advise the Belizeans to seriously consider ceding some minor cayes to Guatemala if that is what is required to reach a successful overall settlement of the dispute, and encourage the British to provide a post-independence security guarantee in Belize.”

Very misleading title. I admittedly do not know much about the early days of this dispute but from the information given here; this note had more to do with the US State Dept. than Thatcher. From this information you do not even know that Thatcher was given or her reaction to this advice.

For now I'll take this as an oversight but I'm suspicious it may be Liberal Slam toward someone they had little love for. Actually it is a "two for" because it mentioned Reagan also, another the left has no love for. Very little information here except a chance to berate a respected person who just died. Of course it is under the banner of "historical perspective."

The story was mis-titled, that's all. It detailed the US suggestion to the UK that Belize give up an island or two to appease the Guates. The US has a long history of political ties and investment in Guatemala and the CIA complicate in the overthrow of Arbenz. US was only looking after their interests. This is not spin; this is hard news